Two medicines, side by side
Azelaic acid vs tazarotene
Azelaic acid and tazarotene are both labeled for acne. Drugs@FDA records approvals of azelaic acid since 1995 and of tazarotene since 1997. Pharmacies paid $0.441 per gram (Azelaic acid 15% gel) and $6.11 per gram (Tazarotene 0.1% gel) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the azelaic acid FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 11, 2021); the tazarotene FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 13, 2025).
Highlights of the azelaic acid record
Azelaic acid (Finacea) · label of November 11, 2021
Used for
From the label: indicationsAzelaic acid gel, 15% is indicated for topical treatment of the inflammatory papules and pustules of mild to moderate rosacea. Azelaic acid gel, 15% is indicated for topical treatment of the inflammatory papules and pustules of mild to moderate rosacea ( 1 ). Limitations of Use Efficacy for treatment of erythema in rosacea in the absence of papules and pustules has not been evaluated. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 13, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 5 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.441 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Highlights of the tazarotene record
Tazarotene (Arazlo) · label of November 13, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTAZORAC ® Gel, 0.05% and 0.1% is a retinoid indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis of up to 20% body surface area involvement. ( 1.1 ) TAZORAC Gel, 0.1% is indicated for the topical treatment of mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris. ( 1.2 ) Limitations of Use The safety of TAZORAC Gel use on more than 20% body surface area has not been established. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 13, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 7 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $6.11 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Azelaic acid label of November 11, 2021, Tazarotene label of November 13, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do azelaic acid and tazarotene differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Azelaic acid, “The mechanism(s) by which azelaic acid interferes with the pathogenic events in rosacea are unknown.”; Tazarotene, “Tazarotene is a retinoid prodrug which is converted to its active form, the carboxylic acid of tazarotene, by deesterification.”
Generics: azelaic acid since 2018; tazarotene since 2017 (Drugs@FDA).
| Azelaic acid | Tazarotene | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Acne | Psoriasis, Acne |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Retinoid |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism(s) by which azelaic acid interferes with the pathogenic events in rosacea are unknown. | Tazarotene is a retinoid prodrug which is converted to its active form, the carboxylic acid of tazarotene, by deesterification. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The half-life of tazarotenic acid was approximately 18 hours, following topical application of tazarotene to normal, acne or psoriatic skin. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 13, 1995 | June 13, 1997 |
| First generic approved | November 19, 2018 | April 3, 2017 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 5 labelers | 7 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.441 per gram (Azelaic acid 15% gel) | $6.11 per gram (Tazarotene 0.1% gel) |
| 12-month price change | -32% | -26% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 939 | 1,167 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to azelaic acid
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions